Take one look at the latest stunners from footwear influencers Brian Atwood, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia, and Yves Saint Laurent, and it becomes clear that super high heels won’t be going out of fashion any time soon. In fact, many of the brands best known for their sky-high pumps are taking their shoes to even great heights. For those afraid of tumbling face first in six-inch stilettos, soaring platforms appeared in tandem with soaring heels at the Spring 2011 shows. In some cases, platforms were so massive, it was like looking at flat shoes on top of bricks (Marc Jacobs and Derek Lam, below). Ever seen heels without a lift? You will now!

Derek Lam and Marc Jacobs

Normally, I would argue that walking in a four-inch platform can be just as challenging as walking in a six-inch heel, but the truth is, it’s all a matter of getting accustomed. The most comfortable option for most women are those that combine high heels with a platform, like the specially designed Brian Atwood shoes that complemented Victoria Beckham’s dress collection for her Spring 2011 show.

Alexander Wang and Donna Karan

Some designers, like Alexander Wang, went the extra mile this season by eschewing one long platform that runs the length of the shoe and doing a front platform and a heel of equal height for maximum practicality and ease.